Bertha Mae Edwards

Bertha Mae was born on November 16, 1938 in Texas to the late Earl McCleary, Sr. and Mary Louise McCleary. The McCleary household was one where God was the center of life for the entire family which included five siblings.

In high school, Bertha sang in the choir, and she was a debutante who exuded style and grace. She proved to be just as graceful with her passion for cooking and baking. Her claim to fame was her pineapple upside down cake. One could say that she inherited her sweet tooth and her love for butter pecan ice cream from her father who worked at the ice cream factory and would bring home an assortment of ice cold treats frequently.

Sometime after high school, Bertha relocated to California and attended Los Angeles Valley College in the nursing program. After working as a nursing assistant, she became an LVN while at a Glendale Adventist Hospital. She spent countless work shifts on the frontlines caring for sick patients and making an impact in the medical field. Soon, Bertha married her late former husband, Joe Louis Edwards. They raised three wonderful children, Demetrius, Yolanda, and Cornelius and enjoyed supporting them in all of their academic and athletic pursuits for many years. Bertha was devoted to her family and raising prayerful children who loved God with their whole hearts. She certainly considered her grandchildren her pride and joy. Bertha loved talking about her grandbabies to everyone.

Bertha devoted the latter years of her life serving as a missionary at Peace Apostolic Church. She left such a positive and lasting influence on the congregation and made lifelong friendships. While working with the Upward Bound group from church, they ventured to many local historic locations such as San Juan Capistrano with frequent visits to the Hollywood Bowl with her dear friend, Sister Tiny. She counted it all such a blessing to be able to travel the world. One of her favorite destinations was Europe with her friend, Sister Clara. Bertha had a chance to experience the vast cultures and foods of some very beautiful countries while celebrating and giving glory to God.

The Lord called His daughter, Bertha Mae Edwards home in the morning of February 18, 2021. Bertha is preceded in death by her parents, Earl Sr. and Mary Louise, as well as her siblings: Barbara, Earl Jr., and Carolyn.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory: three children, Demetrius Prince Edwards, Yolanda Edwards Moore (Jaime Moore), and Cornelius Prince Edwards I (Marie Lindsay Edwards); her dear sister Sheridan Jackson and nephew Gary Jackson (Brenda Jackson); and her amazing grandchildren Alyssa Moore, Cornelius Prince Edwards II, and Xiomara Princess Edwards; in addition to an entire host of relatives, friends, and church family.